Shaft-tug.



No. 723,222. i PATENTED MAR. 17.1903.

Z. WIGGS.

SHAFT TUG. APPLICATION FILI-1D DBO. 27, 1900. RENEWED JULY 8, 1902.

MODEL.

we@ 6 5) 193er.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ZEPHWIGGS, OF DENTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES E. HENDERSON, OF

y DENTON, TEXAS.

SHFT-TU G.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.-723,222, dated Malh .17, 1903- Applicatiou led December 27, 1900. Renewed July 8,1902. Serial No. 114.824. (Model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that LZEPH WIGGS, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at Denton, in the county of Denton and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Shaft Tug, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to a shaft tug or sup# port; and the object of the same is to provide simple and effective means whereby a shaft may be readily inserted in or removed from the top portion of the tug or supportinstead of by threading the shaft through the latter. y

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device, showing a portion of a thill applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the improved device shown open. Fig. 3 is a transverse Vertical section of the improved device. Fig. 4: is an enlarged transverse section through a portion of the bow of the device and the closing-jaw therefor, showing the hinge-joint and locking means.

Similar nu merals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views. f

The numeral 1 designates the usual saddlestrap, which is adj ustably connected to a buckle or other similar device 2, attached to the upper inner terminal of the main body portion or bow 3 of the tug or loop. This body portion or bow 3 is composed of a metallic band 4, which is bent into a curve slightly greater than a semicircle and has the inner terminal extending above the outer terminal. The body portion or bow is of the same dimension as the ordinary form of tug or loop, and the band 4 .is provided with a suitable covering 5, of leather or the like, to prevent scoringor rubbing the thill, and the outer terminal of the said band is' formed with a central knuckle 6, having an inner shouldered recess 7. The outer end of a closing-jaw'S is formed with spaced knuckles 9 to complete a hinge-joint with the knuckle 6 by the addition of a pintle 10. The jaw 8 is constructed of suitable metal and convexed and has an inner upturned terminal 11 to snugly bear against the outer side of the inner terminal of the body portion or bow 3.

On the Vupper portion of the jaw 8 a curved 55 latch 12 is movably mounted and has an elongated slot 13 therein through which a combined guide and retaining stud 14 projects and has a flanged head 15. The inner terminal of the latch is upturned, as at 16, and be- 6o tween said terminal and an inner upstandi-ng guard 17 a coiled spring 13 is mounted and terminally secured, the said spring operating to force the latch outwardly into locking position. The outer end 19 of the latch is suit- 65 ably reduced to engage the shouldered recess 7 of the knuckle 6, the width of the latch being about equal to the length of the knuckle 6, and the latter being stationary the lock of the jaw will be elfected through the said jaw 7o only.

In applying a thill to the improved tug or loop the latch 12 is drawn or pushed inward to release the jaw 8 and the latter opened to clear the upper portion of the body orlbow 3.

The thill is then lowered into the body or bow and the jaw closed and automatically locked against accidental disengagement by the latch. The thill can be readily released from the tug or loop by opening the jaw. The use 8o ture can be easily operated and cheaply manufactured. Moreover, the several parts are strong and durable and will form a material addition to the general convenient equipments of harness.

Having thus described the invention, what 9o is claimed as new is- A shaft-tug, comprising a body-bow h aving a vertically-extending attaching member projecting above the outer end of thebow, the

said outer end having an integral knuckle provided on its inner face with a shoulder, a jaw having a curved inner terminal to bear against the attaching member and its outer terminal provided with knuckles pivotally secured to the knuckle of the bow, and a roo spring-actuated latch carried by the upper side of the jaw and having its outer end disposed to engage the shoulder to lock the jaw my own I have hereto affixed my signature in in position, and at its inner end an upturned the presence of two Witnesses. lug Which'aiords an abutment for the spring v and a convenient operating means forl the ZEPH WIGGS' 5 latch, substantially as and for the purpose Witnesses:

specified. O. P. POE,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as JOE S. GAMBILL. 

